In April, the International Interior Design Association’s Southwest Chapter gathered to pay tribute to the best people and projects of 2018. The 22nd annual IIDA Professional Recognition for Interior Design Excellence (PRIDE) Awards highlighted some of the best work in the industry. 

There were 20 different projects that received awards in one of 10 categories, as well as an overall Best in Show project. The PRIDE Awards recognize the transformative work being done by architectural firms in IIDA’s Southwest Chapter. In addition to those honorees, IIDA gave recognition to four individuals and two companies who stood out during the year. 

The IIDA organization has more than 15,000 members worldwide and is active in 58 countries. The group is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life through excellence in interior design and advancing interior design through knowledge, value and community. 

Best of Show 

Project: CBRE Phoenix Office

Firm: Gensler 

Team members: Beth Harmon-Vaughan, Dawn Hart, Melissa Holm, Meghann Duran, Manrique Umana, Jessica Little, Craig Chapple, Adam Strong, Garrett Smith, Drake Hoffman, Luis Cruz-Martinez, Amber Ferguson, Denita DeRuso, Victor Irizarry. Also, Layton Construction, Energy Systems Design, PK Structural Engineers, Jensen Hughes. 

Through a highly collaborative process, the client and design teams worked together to develop an interior design narrative that embodies the client’s well-developed brand and innovative workplace of the future strategies, while also incorporating many unique design elements inspired by the local context. 

Commercial office under 10,000 SF 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: Farmers Stockmans Bank Renovation 

Firm: Cuningham Group

Team members: Marcene Kandra, Jefffrey Mandyck, Shaun Jennings, Pete Mikelson, Brittany Johnson, Heather Adams, Sukreet Singh, Paul Hutton 

The transformation of William Pereira’s 1951 Farmers & Stockmans Bank remains a registered historical landmark and continues to inspire as offices for an international architectural firm. 

Award of Merit 

Project: Forward Tilt Office

Firm: Evolution Design

Team members: Roberta Thomas, IIDA; Erin Goldsmith, IIDA; Darbi Elkins 

The subdivision is a community-centric property composed of 14 identical buildings in four clusters. Each building floor plate is designed to be open and flexible to allow for a variety of uses, no matter what business occupies the space. 

Commercial office 10,000-25,000 SF 

Award of Merit 

Project: NRG

Firm: DLR Group 

Team members: Megan Duffy, Shelby Guddeck, Ann Van de Wille, Ben Foth, Amy Hoffman 

The building’s design replicates a power grid on the perimeter of the building with an emphasis on organic liveliness at the core, reflecting the vitality of life as a result of energy. 

Award of Merit 

Project: Wentworth Property Headquarters 

Firm: RSP Architects

Team members: Joe Tyndall, AIA (Principal-in-Charge); Alissa Franconi, Assoc. IIDA (Design Studio Lead); Dawn Brown, AIA, LEED AP (Project Manager); Christine Shaw, LEED AP (Project Interior Designer). 

The 11,000-square-feet building in the Downtown Phoenix Redevelopment Area allowed the company to be a part of revitalizing and enhancing the community. 

Commercial office over 25,000SF 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: CBRE Phoenix Office

Firm: Gensler 

Team members: Beth Harmon-Vaughan, Dawn Hart, Melissa Holm, Meghann Duran, Manrique Umana, Jessica Little, Craig Chapple, Adam Strong, Garrett Smith, Drake Hoffman, Luis Cruz-Martinez, Amber Ferguson, Denita DeRuso, Victor Irizarry. 

“Modern, fresh, and innovative” were words used by the judges to summarize this Desert Metropolis. They feel the subtle mix of materiality, color, and texture makes for a wonderful space. 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: Carvana Corporate Headquarters 

Firm: RSP Architects

Team members: Joe Tyndall, AIA (Principal-in-Charge); Alissa Franconi, Assoc. IIDA (Design Studio Lead); Dawn Brown, AIA, LEED AP (Project Manager); Christine Shaw, LEED AP (Project Interior Designer); Amy Krone, Green Associate (Interior Design). 

The design creates a fluid environment for both corporate staff and call center employees. The single location reflects the energy and vibrancy of the brand while embracing and encouraging the company’s innovative and collaborative culture. 

Hospitality, retail and restaurant 

Award of Merit 

Project: Sun West Federal Credit Union 

Firm: SmithGroupJJR

Team members: Casey Potash, Mark Adams, RID; Tim O’Dowd, John Tran, AIA, LEED AP; Michelle Goodlive, LEED AP; Brooke Waldron, Michael Faulkner, RLA, ASLA; Evan Tatabe, Jon Silhol, PE, LEED AP BD+C; Melissa Bowers, Jyotsna Bhamidipati, Stanley Mah, PE. 

The incorporation of more glass than historical locations, cool tone complimentary floor and wall surfaces and warm metal storefront accented by a curved copper wall allows peekaboo views to the outside desert landscaping, portray a modern, yet timeless design. 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: Alliance Bank

Firm: Davis 

Team members: Rory Carder, IIDA 

The minimalist architecture clad in black steel plate, evokes a secure banking environment. A concrete feature wall delineates public and secure realms, revealing a luminous lobby. 

Single space 

Award of Merit 

Project: University of Arizona Student Recreation Center

Firm: Gensler 

Team members: Beth Harmon-Vaughan, Jeffrey Maas, Craig Chapple, Jay Silverberg, Robert Himmelberger, Melissa Holm, Breckenridge Group, Lloyd Construction 

Taking themes traditionally found in hospitality design, the updated space includes refreshed finishes, the latest in locker-room planning, impactful wall graphics, and a forward-thinking layout. 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: El Mirage City Hall

Firm: Architekton 

Team members: Rachel Rosso, Chris Kelly, Joe Salvatore, Glen Wollenhaupt, Daniel Childers, Ryan Grabe, Eric Sterner 

The new complex replaces the old “storefront” City Hall with state of the art municipal offices while providing a new public gathering plaza anchored by a Veterans’ Memorial with a large monument honoring the five branches of the armed services. 

On the boards 

Award of Merit 

Project: Indeed

Firm: Corgan 

Team members: Azarel de la Cruz, Alexandra Ayers, Karah Tennyson 

The design includes an open office design and offers employees a large cafe, a barista and juice bar, beers on tap and a fitness center with a yoga studio and a variety of collaboration spaces to expand on the culture of Indeed and its values. 

Award of Merit 

Project: The Grand

Firm: Davis 

Team members: Rory Carder, Amy Dooley, Hannah Massarat 

The project is a state-of-the-art lobby and amenity center designed for a ground up nine-story office building. The marble floor is designed intentionally as an uninterrupted monolithic surface. 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: Helios Education Foundation Headquarters

Firm: Architekton 

Team members: Rachel Rosso, Justin Trexler, John Kane, Chris Kelly, Eric Sterner, Ryan Grabe, Tom Reilly, Kristen Keane, Glen Wollenhaupt 

The land on which the environment lies possess unique views to iconic mountain ranges. The interior environment seamlessly grabs every opportunity to entwine itself to the outdoor setting. 

Healthcare 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: Mountain Park Health Center

Firm: SmithGroupJJR

Team members: Casey Potash, Scott Ross Steffes, Lyle Steely, AIA, LEED AP; Fred Aidoo, Assoc. AIA; Eric Martin, PE, LEED AP BD+C; Chris Tarango, Matt Hess, AIA, NCARB; Rick Jones, ASLA, LEED AP; Sophia Escontrias, Craig Passey, AIA. 

From the expansive reception and waiting area, emphasizing community in a colorful and nature-connected environment, to the animated and textured staff-centric breakout spaces, this clinic breathes diversity and promotes both individuality and collaboration.    

Education 

Award of Merit 

Project: Dakota State University Beacom Institute of Technology 

Firm: SmithGroupJJR 

Team members: Mark Adams, RID; Mark Kranz, AIA; Carrie Perrone, AIA; JB Pham, Pat O’Keefe, AIA LEED AP; Jeff Stanton, AIA LEED AP BD+C in association with TSP, Inc. 

Technology rich learning environments and laboratories are cradled around a two-story Collaboration Center that opens itself to the street and creates a new student hub for the campus. 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: Mayo Medical School Medical Education Center

Firm: Ayers Saint Gross 

Team members: Michelle Kollmann, Assoc. AIA + IIDA, LEED AP; Dana Dixon, AIA, LEED AP; Eric Zobrist, AIA, LEED AP; Jack Black, AIA, LEED AP; Nathan Korkki, AIA, LEED GA. 

The 1990s office building was re-imagined to support an engaging and inspiring academic experience with connections to the natural environment through large, open views to the mountains.  

Mixed-use 

Award of Merit 

Project: Western Window Systems Corporate Headquarters

Firm: Ware Malcomb 

Team members: Joshua Thompson, Kevin Evernham, principal; Niki Ward, studio manager, interior architecture and design; Amanda Wells, designer 

The office area caters to the client’s vibrant and innovative company culture with a fun, yet technologically cutting edge creative office design. 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: University of South Carolina 650 Lincoln Student Housing Residence Hub 

Firm: Ayers Saint Gross 

Team members: Michelle Kollmann, Assoc. IIDA + AIA, LEED AP; Eric Zobrist, AIA, LEED AP; Julieta Dorame, Assoc. AIA, LEED; Kevin Jones, RA, LEED AP BD+C; Nathan Korkki, AIA, LEED GA. 

This ground-level space hosts various sized program elements for learning, working and gathering, to encourage student connections and engagement. The space is conceived as a series of volumes, emphasizing materiality and proportion. 

Student 

Award of Merit 

Project: Fender Sound 

School: Arizona State University 

Student: Stephanie Hernandez, student IIDA 

At Fender Sound, the sculptural sound wave curving from the exterior to the interior is the visualization of sound, extruded as the architectural shell to connect the past and future of both Fender and the site’s historical buildings. 

Design Excellence Award 

Project: OFS Headquarters 

School: Arizona State University 

Students: Allison Laak, student IIDA and Emma Phillips, student IIDA 

The firm incorporated sustainable and crafted designs that connect the user back to their origins — the tree. The central corridor of the building includes a tree trunk that connects the space and activates the core.